DOJ indicts man on firearms charge, accused of shooting DISD officer with his own gun

Jose Santiago Pantoja-Morales has been indicted for charges related to illegally possessing a firearm after allegedly shooting a DISD officer on Aug. 6.

A 27-year-old man accused of shooting a Dallas ISD police officer with the officer’s own gun last month has been indicted on a federal firearms charge.

On Wednesday, the U.S. Attorney's Office announced a grand jury indictment of Jose Santiago Pantoja-Morales. A federal grand jury indicted Jose Santiago Pantoja-Morales, a Mexican national, on a charge of unlawfully possessing a firearm, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Texas announced Wednesday.

Previously, a charge of aggravated assault against a public servant was filed by the Dallas Police Department.

Pantoja-Morales is accused of shooting Justin Jones, a uniformed officer, during a struggle on Aug. 6 after the officer stopped to help him, according to a federal criminal complaint filed the following week.

What happened to the Dallas ISD officer?

According to the federal complaint, Pantoja-Morales jumped from a co-worker’s vehicle into the center median of LBJ Freeway on Aug. 6. The co-worker flagged down Jones, who was on routine patrol.

The officer offered Pantoja-Morales a ride to a nearby safe location, investigators said.

During the ride, Pantoja-Morales allegedly began rummaging through the officer's bag in the back seat. When the Jones stopped and attempted to remove him from the vehicle, investigators said Pantoja-Morales resisted, and the two began struggling.

Investigators allege Pantoja-Morales grabbed Jones’ firearm during the struggle and fired once, striking the officer in the femoral artery of his right leg.

Jones regained control of the gun, according to the complaint, while Pantoja-Morales fled. He was apprehended a short time later.

Another Dallas ISD officer provided medical treatment at the scene before the wounded officer was taken to Parkland Hospital.

An indictment is an allegation of criminal conduct. Pantoja-Morales is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.